If you’ve ever browsed wellness forums, wandered into a botanical or supplements shop, or scrolled through health threads on Reddit, chances are you’ve come across the word kratom. It’s been getting a lot of attention lately, and not without good reason. However, with attention comes curiosity, and curiosity brings questions – a lot of them.
If you’re new to this mysterious substance or just kratom-curious, you’re in the right place. Read on below for some of the most frequently asked questions about kratom and their answers:
What Exactly Is Kratom?
Let’s start with the basics. Kratom (scientific name Mitragyna speciosa) is a tropical tree in the coffee family that’s native to Southeast Asia, particularly Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Papua New Guinea.
What’s all the fuss about, you ask? Its leaves are magic – or as close to magic as you can get, anyway. They contain natural compounds called alkaloids: mainly mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. These alkaloids interact with the body’s opioid receptors, but don’t let that scare you. Kratom isn’t an opioid in the traditional sense, though it can produce effects that feel similar, depending on the dose and strain.
Traditionally, people in Southeast Asia chewed kratom leaves or brewed them into tea for energy and pain relief. Today, it’s available in powdered form, capsules, extracts, and even chewable tablets.
What Does Kratom Do?
This is probably the most common question that people ask, but the answer can be a little complicated. Kratom’s effects can vary wildly based on the dose, the strain, and your individual body chemistry.
First, let’s talk dosage. At low doses, many users report increased energy, sharper focus, and even a bit of euphoria — kind of like a strong cup of coffee without the jitters. At higher doses, kratom tends to be more sedating and can help with relaxation, discomfort, and sleep.
Next, let’s break down the different strains of kratom. They’re primarily differentiated by the veins that run through the kratom leaves when they’re harvested: red vein, white vein, and green vein.
- Red vein kratom is harvested when the leaves are at their most mature stage. Users report that it has a calming, relaxing, and sedating effect, and it’s also commonly used to relieve pain and discomfort. There are also some users that turn to red vein kratom as a sleep aid.
- White vein kratom, on the other hand, is harvested when the leaves are still young. It’s known for having an energizing and stimulating effect, and many users report that it helps them focus and concentrate. It can also have a mood-enhancing effect.
- Finally, there’s green vein kratom, the middle child. It’s harvested when the leaves have reached a moderate level of maturity, which contributes to a more balanced alkaloid profile. Its effects are a smooth combination of the effects that you might expect from the red and white vein variants.
Is Kratom Safe?
This is the million-dollar question, isn’t it. The answer to it is a bit more nuanced than a simple yes or no, too.
Kratom is generally considered safe when used responsibly, but like anything else — coffee, alcohol, even sugar — it can become problematic if overused. Some users report experiencing various side effects such as nausea, constipation, dry mouth, or dizziness, especially if they take too much or use it too often. There’s also the potential for dependency if you aren’t careful.
For these reasons, moderation is absolutely critical. The vast majority of negative experiences with kratom come from taking extremely high doses or mixing it with other substances. If you’re thinking about trying it, start low, go slow, and don’t treat it like a cure-all.
What’s the Best Way to Take Kratom?
There are two main ways to take kratom: powder or capsules.
Kratom powder has a lot of things going for it. You get more control over your dose with powder, and you feel its effects much quicker. However, there is one barrier to entry, so to speak: it tastes pretty bad – bitter, earthy, almost medicinal. Some people swear by the “toss and wash” method, where you scoop the powder into your mouth and chase it with water – which is quick, but definitely not for the faint of heart. To make kratom powder more palatable, others prefer mixing it into their favorite juices or smoothies or brewing it into a kind of kratom tea.
Likewise, there are pros and cons to taking kratom capsules. With capsules, you don’t have to deal with the taste, and you can carry a bottle with you everywhere. It’s also one of the more discreet ways to take kratom because you don’t have to deal with scales or measuring spoons – just pop a capsule when you need it. However, the effects take a bit longer to kick in than powder.
Kratom is a natural product with a long history, and for many people, it offers benefits that improve daily life, from more energy to less pain.
Here at Professor Whyte’s, you can easily buy kratom powder or kratom capsules. Why buy kratom powder or capsules from us? We’re committed to being a reliable and trustworthy source for kratom and put all of our products through 3rd-party laboratory testing for consistency, potency, and purity. Visit our homepage now to view all of the kratom products that we offer.